{Mini Breaks and Paying it Forward}

I've found myself not writing as many posts lately as I normally do.

And you know what? I'm perfectly okay with that.

I won't lie, I'd become a little obsessed with blogging and reading other blogs, but not so much lately.

One great thing to blog about recently though is I received a Pay It Forward package the other day from Meredith at Belle in Boots. I cannot tell you how excited I was to get this package since I was not expecting it! It had the sweetest card also!

Meredith sent me a few of her favorite running items since she knew I was into running lately. This included a great stash of the no slip headbands, running socks, and gum. All fantastic, and needed items, to run with!

So very much, Meredith!

Of course, I'm still participating myself in the Pay It Forward. At the time I posted that blog I believe I may have had one or two followers. I just thought I'd re-post again to see if anyone else would be interested in playing along. 

Today is another blizzard condition day. Unfortunately, I have to work tonight. I could always hope that my building closes and that would mean I wouldn't have to come in. However, since we're a 24/7 operation, that would only mean the group working today would have to stay for my shift. Lemme just say that working a full 24+ hour day is not fun, nor ideal. So, I can't even wish for a "snow day".

{Weigh-In Wednesday}

148 lbs

5'2"

That's the true number since finding out my current scale is off a little.

I'm pleasantly surprised and happy with those numbers.

Of course, pooping my brains out for a full day and a half might have helped some.

I've not worked out, truly worked out since Saturday before work.

Sunday and yesterday I took the dog for a 30 minute walk but, with no eating solid foods, it was all I could muster. Monday was the worst so I didn't even take the dog for a walk. I was so completely out of energy.

Apparently, he was taking it easy also.

Since last Wednesday's weigh-in I have been working on eating better and putting what I eat into my "Lose It" app on my phone. Well, I haven't done that since Saturday. I figure if I wasn't eating anything solid, what's the point. So, today I'll get back on point with it.

Speaking of eating, my esophagus hurt yesterday! It hurt on its own and it definitely hurt to eat. *Sad face*

So, I made my own healthy smoothie and the coolness of it helped. I'd forgotten they said they took biopsies from my esophagus and that's why it hurt yesterday. So far this morning it feels better.

This may look gross, but it was seriously so good. I put spinach, plain Greek yogurt, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, frozen mango, and frozen raspberries in it.

Later in the day, I made more delicious healthy food!!

Check it! 

Here are the links to these recipes...

Quinoa Baked Zucchini Chips

Sassy Girl Wonton Tacos

The wonton tacos may be a little on the unhealthier side since I didn't have any wontons and forgot to pick some up. So, instead, I rolled a tube of crescent rolls out thing and cut it into 12 squares (definitely not even squares and they didn't look pretty). I placed 1 square into the cupcake holes and baked them for 8 minutes while I got everything else ready. The rest of the dish I followed. Well, except instead of 1 cup of coleslaw salad, I used 2 cups. Ok, haha other than that, there were no more changes. I put the chicken first, then the coleslaw on top, and baked for another 5 minutes.

Oh. My. Word. Y'all. This stuff was all delicious!

I'm very happy with it.

So, today I'm going to get back into working out.

Oh yeah, speaking of working out...

Last week I felt comfortable in my own skin to wear the tight capri's and red shirt while working out.

Little non-scale victories mean the world!!

Here's the workout from Saturday...

{Liebster Award}

I'm so excited to say the sweet Meredith from Belle in Boots nominated me for my first blog award!

RULES:

1. Link back to the person who nominated you

2. Write 11 facts about yourself once nominated

 3. Answer the 11 questions from the person who nominated you

4. Nominate 11 blogs with 200 or less followers

5. Create 11 Questions for those bloggers to answer

11 Random Facts About Me

1. I have 6 tattoos

(people usually seem to be shocked by the fact that I have even 1)

2. I love, love, love the beach and even have dreams about it

3. I got married at the young age of 18

(A month before my bday - Divorced 3 1/2 years later)

4. I have my motorcycle license

5. I'm scuba diving certified

6. I was in the Air Force for 6 years

7. My BA degree is in Art History, yet work in the computer industry

8. People always think I'm younger than what I really am

(and for this I am very grateful! haha)

9. I promised myself I'd run one 5k race a month for 12 months

10. I've won one blog giveaway

(The March 1 Scale from Girls Gone Sporty)

11. I'm thinking of taking a civilian deployment

11 Questions: 
1. Favorite Holiday?

Independence Day - Being grateful of our freedom and being able to spend it with amazing friends and family

2. Least favorite chore?

Dusting

3. Favorite book or series?

I'm not sure if I can pick just one...

Lord of the Rings - I've read this one multiple times, so I'll go with it

4. Online shopping or head to the store?

Both? haha

5. Dream car?

The TRD 4-door Tacoma - Yes, my dream car is a truck

6.What's in a name, reason behind your blog name.

When I first picked up blogging, a few years ago, I was kind of making fun of myself for having a blog. Hence, 'Bloggers Blogging... Blog. Blog. Blog.'

7. What's your go-to snack?

Banana's

8. If you could pick one celebrity to be your BFF, who would it be?

Jennifer Lawrence? She seems hilarious, with a dry sense of humor.

9. Most loved piece of clothing/shoes/accessories.

My scarves. I've got quite the collection going.

10. Favorite / Most visited store?

Kohl's - I absolutely cannot walk out of this store empty handed.

11.What are you looking forward to this year?

Finding my love ;)

My 11 Nominations:

1. Harriet at The Notebook Diaries

2. Lex at Life By Lex

3. Jamie at Simple Southern Ways

4. Lara at Dandeleinss

5. Miranda at Progress, Passion, and Young Professionalism

6. Amy at Just Another Weight Loss Journey

7. Kaitlyn at Kaitlyn's Crazy Life

8. Jonesyjl2 at Life or Something Like it

9. KellyAnne at No Rest for the Weary Mommy

10.  Sara at ...And baby makes 3!

11. Alex and Jess at Operation Skinny Jeans

11 Questions:

1. What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?

2. What is your favorite form of exercise?

3. What sound do you love?

4. If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

5. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

6. What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

7. What is your first memory of being really excited?

8. What is your favorite Season of the year?

9. What kind of music do you like?

10. Are you a morning person or night owl?

11. What is the one thing you like the most about yourself?

{Cleanse Anyone?}

Yesterday began a cleanse for me. 

It's not necessarily one I want but need for an exam.

I've had ongoing heartburn since 1999. It's gotten worse each year. 

When I first started getting it I only had to take 1 10mg Nexium pill about once every 6 months.

Now, I have to take 1 40mg Nexium pill twice a day.

If I forget to take it, talk about pain! I get nauseous and I'm in so much pain all day long.

So, I went to see a specialist and she diagnosed me with GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). She also set me up to have an EGD (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy) done. It's a test to examine the lining of the esophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach), stomach, and first part of the small intestine. It is done with a small camera (flexible endoscope) that is inserted down the throat.

Sounds fun, right?

That's not even the best part. The best part is I also get a Colonoscopy as well. Yay.

So, to prepare for the procedure I drank all this stuff...

What's not listed is the Gatorade I could drink also. It's more recommended to keep me hydrated.

I had to work Saturday night from 5:30pm until 5:30am Sunday morning. Sunday was the day before prep, so after midnight I quit eating at work. I felt fine and drank lots of water, a lemon/lime Gatorade, and had soup broth.

It wasn't until I woke-up Sunday that the torture began. Not being able to eat solid foods is horrible. I ate drank chicken broth soup and had lots of water when I woke-up. Later a slight headache began. I also had an orange Popsicle. The only "solid" food I could have.

At 6p.m. I had to take the first does of SUPREP. Holy moly, it IS one of the worst tasting things I've ever had to put in this mouth. It's a clear bottle and they don't give it any particular flavor. I'm not even sure I can tell you what it tastes like. Gross, disgusting, horrible... these are all descriptions that don't even come close to describing it. I gagged with each sip. Even writing about it now makes me slightly nauseous. The Suprep mix start working within like 15 minutes and still hasn't stopped. Gross. Anyway.

This morning, I had to take the other bottle of Suprep. Today was the worst day of the liquid diet. I was extremely miserable. I had to wake-up at 6:30am to take this next dose. I'll also say that with both doses, I got the chills and just couldn't get warm enough. 

So, at the hospital, I got an IV of just fluids for an hour prior to hydrate me. They said everyone is always dehydrated when they get there so they just give everyone an IV. An hour later, they wheel me back to the room and have me lay on my left side. They put this mouth bite guard in my mouth so I wouldn't clamp down in the video tube and so the video tube wouldn't bang against my teeth. Once they gave  me the sedation stuff, I do not remember the EGD procedure at all. I do remember being brought out of my daze during the colonoscopy with extreme stomach cramps. They had to give me more meds to continue with that procedure. 

Once I did come out of the sedation, I did have silent tears flowing. It was painful. The stomach cramps anyway. I was extremely relieved it was all done. I hope I never have to do this again. It was horrible. The doc did come in to release me and said the colonoscopy looked good. I'll have to wait a few weeks until my check-up appointment to find out about the EGD.

Waiting to be released

                             

{Sunday Social}

I'm linking up with Ashley Lately for

1. 5 songs you'll listen to the rest of your life Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers Edge of Seventeen - Stevie Nicks Supermassive Black Hole - Muse Chevelle Zac Brown Band
I know, these last 2 aren't particular songs, but I love them so much, I will always and forever listen t them.
2. 5 things on your bucket list Visit New Zealand Visit Europe Have a baby Run a 1/2 Marathon Visit Cali & New York
3. 5 celebs you'd love to hang out with for a day Jennifer Lawrence David Boreanz Reese Witherspoon Zac Effron Liam Hemsworth
4. 5 things you always carry in your purse Chap Stick Wallet Lip Gloss Tons of Pens Sunglasses
5. 5 books on your reading list Strange True Stories of Louisiana, George Cable Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell The Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald The Rational Optimist, Matt Ridley
6. Share the last five pictures on your phone

{Weigh-In Wednesday: The Ugly Truth}

150lbs is an official number. 150.192 lbs to be exact.
The picture below, the one that slaps me in the face, tells me it's official.

So, this result was a big ole slap in the face...

To begin with, I went to the base gym to have my Bod Pod measurements done yesterday. They, awesomely, do it for free for military members. Yay, for having my reserve ID until October! The experience, overall, was really good. You're only in this egg-shaped tube for a total of 1 minute. Two times at 30 seconds a piece. If you're claustrophobic it's really not that bad. It's supposed to be pretty accurate. This is what the machine looks like...

You wear a swimsuit and a swimmers cap but you don't get wet at all. The tube gets air compressurized and that's how it gets your measurements. Here's Med Terms definition:

BOD POD: A method for determining the lean body mass. The BOD POD is a computerized, egg-shaped chamber. Using the same whole-body measurement principle as underwater weighing, the BOD POD measures a subject's mass and volume, from which their whole-body density is determined. Using these data, body fat and lean muscle mass can then be calculated.

Anyway, so you get a print out with all your info on it. My % Body Fat number...that's in the highest range.

I didn't think it was that bad but turns out it's worse.

I'm so happy I've started Operation Red Bikini. While I knew I was going to begin a weight loss journey, it gave me the push to actually do it and strive for something. I had 3 goals.

1. Get in the best shape possible within 12 weeks

2. Do well and hold myself accountable with Operation Red Bikini

3. Run one 5k race a month for 12 months

I've just added a 4th goal...

4. Lower my fat percentage to a healthy range

So far, I'm doing well with #3. It's the other 2 that I'm slow on. Since the beginning of the year I've not ate "clean" often and I pretty much stopped doing strength training since I began running. With the new 12 week plan I'm working on, strength training is incorporated into my running routine.

Now, I've got to focus more on "eating clean."

Here are some photographs of yesterday's attempt at it all...

For all of  yesterday... 

12 Week Plan Day 2: Cardio Only (576 Calories burned)

Eggs/Spinach/Turkey/Rotel

Berries with breakfast

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Avocado Chicken Salad

The Soup made me 7 servings at 360 calories for each serving.

Banana, PB, Dark Chocolate
Seriously, delicious! I made 4 of them a serving in little baggies.

So, there ya have it. I'm going to do the Bod Pod once a month until the end of my 12 weeks to see if there are any changes and to see results, if any.

I am also going to hold myself more accountable for the food I eat. I will try to use the 'Lose It" app more, it's just hard those 4 days I work since I can't have my phone with me. I will write it all down and add it later. OR since I always pack my food for work, I'll add it all before I even leave the house.